Acceptance Quote by John F. Kennedy
“We must formulate, with both imagination and restraint, a new approach to the Middle East - not pressing our case so hard that the Arabs feel their neutrality and nationalism are threatened ... while at the same time trying to hasten the inevitable Arab acceptance of the permanence of Israel ... We must ... seek a permanent settlement among Arabs and Israelis based not on an armed truce but on mutual self-interest.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to the American University of Beirut, 1963
A balanced policy for the Middle East should blend creative vision with careful limits, aiming for a mutually beneficial, lasting peace rather than forceful coercion.
In simple terms: Combine imagination with restraint to achieve lasting peace.
Key Takeaway
Seek mutual self‑interest, not force.
Themes
peace
diplomacy
balance
mutual_interest
strategic_vision
Mood
hopeful
strategic
Type
political
inspirational
When to use this quote
- negotiations
- peace_treaties
- confidence_building
- public_diplomacy
Key Concepts
realism
conflict_resolution
regional_stability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can imagination be harnessed without compromising security?
- What safeguards ensure mutual self‑interest remains genuine?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on restraint may weaken necessary pressure for change.
![“We do not seek an agreement with the [Palestinian] Arabs in order to secure the peace. Of course we regard peace as an essential thing. It is impossible to build up the country in a state of permanent warfare. But peace for us is a mean, and not an end. The end is the fulfillment of Zionism in its…” quote by David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/81c/david-10635_agreement_we-do-not-seek-an-agreement-with-the-pal_1304288.jpg)
![“It's about time that we as Arabs take things into our own hands and figure out our own future, rather than [keep depending] on some outside force to do it for us... particularly when intervention by this outside force has not particularly been beneficial to the region in recent history.” quote by Marwan al-Muasher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f4d/marwan-al-muasher-109799_beneficial_it-s-about-time-that-we-as-arabs-take-th_2161336.jpg)
![“If I was an Arab leader I would never make [peace] with Israel. That is natural: we have taken their country.” quote by David Ben-Gurion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be2/david-ben-gurion-9178_country_if-i-was-an-arab-leader-i-would-never-ma_2157988.jpg)
